Road Trip Denver to Arizona
 

Would like to see the geological sights of Utah, and maybe some desert flowers in Arizona possibly visit friends in Scottsdale or Phoenix. Then home. Suggestions?

If you take I-70 west to Utah, then south to Arches and Canyonlands NP's and Dead Horse SP and then on to Monument Valley (Navajo Park),from there perhaps over to Page AZ for a look at Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon and a smooth water raft ride on the Colorado River from Glen Canyon Dam to Lees Ferry. Then down to Grand Canyon before you head down to Phoenix. If you have more time, hit Capitol Reef, Bryce and Zion too. You will have a fantastic view of the geology of the area and maybe, see a flower or two if you keep an eye out.

Would ten days work?

Thank you so much, --this alone was helpful!!

Time wise, it is about half a day for Denver to the Moab area base for Arches, Canyonlands and Dead Horse. If you leave in the morning you will have time for a quick stop at Arches VC to get the maps, etc and maybe a fast drive through to orient yourself. Then depending on how much time you want to spend there for the fantastic geology, maybe a day or so. Canyonlands is huge and the northern end, Island in the sky is worth a visit and has several places for short hikes and fantastic views. Of course you could do much more in both of these areas. The southern end of Canyonlands, Needles district is quite far from Island in the sky. I would probably want to spend a half a day getting to and in that part of the park, it is about a half hour ride in, but gives a totally different view of the area as you are down in the park, not on top looking down. I would continue south to Monument Valley after visiting Needles district.

Only you can decide how much time to spend in each of the areas, but I would also want to spend at least a day in Bryce, Zion, Page area and since you are dealing with significant distances and some curvy roads between places and lots of fantastic views that will make you want to stop and take pictures.

We usually play it by ear and decide along the way how much time to spend and where to go next, depending on weather, whimsy, and what we really, really, want to do next.

Have a great trip.

Great ideas. After looking at distances, we are wavering on going to the Grand Canyon on this approximately eight day trip. The Glen Canyon raft trip sounds really enticing, though. I think we will make that our dream destination. Do you think we could book it at the last minute so that we could be flexible? Any outfitters you recommend? Time involved?

Thanks e and WAI

By the way, WAI, thanks for the specific tips on where to eat---always makes it so much more enjoyable knowing its recommended. Also, the State Parks.....sounds VERY nice, especially the CRACK.

When we went on the smooth water raft trip we called last minute and were able to go the next morning, but that was lucky since it was fall and they only went on a couple of days every week and we just hit it right. Look at http://www.hydrosadventures.com/gran...oothwater.html

for information on one of the outfitters that sounds like the trip we took, complete with the stop at the petroglyphs. I have some pictures of it at www.flickr.com/photos/emalloy2009/sets I think in the 2008 set if you want to look.